Dolores men convicted of pot

Dolores men convicted of pot-hunting

July 28, 2001

By Jim Mimiaga

Journal Staff Writer

A father and son from Dolores have been convicted of pocketing ancient artifacts on public lands near Dolores, Forest Service officials report.

Donald Leonard Johnson and his son, Donald Wayne, were found guilty this week of digging in and disturbing an archaeological site by magistrate Judge Gudron Rice in Durango federal court.

The two, who investigators say operate D & W Collectibles in Dolores, were cited Sept. 16 by BLM law-enforcement officer Lanny Wagner after he received a tip from two witnesses in the area.

According to Forest Service special agent Brenda Schultz, the Johnsons were seen at the edge of McPhee Reservoir on Sept. 16 moving rocks from a rubble mound of Anasazi artifacts, known in archeological terms as a lithic scatter.

"They had arrowheads in their pockets and said that they only look for artifacts on private land when they have permission," Schultz said Friday.

But because of eyewitness reports, the two were convicted of looting a historic site on federal land, a misdemeanor offense punishable up to six months in jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Sentencing is set for Oct. 11.

Historic sites, including ancient burial sites, on public lands are protected under federal law.

"If everyone takes one potsherd, eventually the next people who come along will not have the opportunity to observe our human heritage," Schultz said.

Protecting Indian and pioneer ruins on vast BLM and Forest Service lands is difficult, but assistance from the public makes it easier, she said.

"We couldn’t have done this without citizen help," Schultz said.